Real Madrid receive Endrick transfer boost

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 10 Jan 2023 19:30 GMT
• 3 min read

Real Madrid are determined to sign Brazilian wonderkid Endrick, and they have received some good news in their pursuit of the young forward.

Endrick burst onto the scene in 2022, scoring seven goals in seven games as Palmeiras won the Copa Sao Paulo de Futebol Junior in January before becoming their youngest first-team debutant in October and the Brazilian top-flight's second-youngest scorer ever a few weeks later.

Naturally, the ears of Europe's biggest clubs have pricked up, and Endrick and his advisors have spoken to each of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.

READ: Real Madrid's 'ace' to secure Endrick transfer

Whilst Chelsea and PSG remain very real threats to Real in their pursuit of Endrick, Barcelona have dropped out of the race.

Barca simply don't have the financial muscle to meet Endrick's €60 million asking price, with their group stage exit from the Champions League further tightening the purse strings at the debt-ridden Blaugrana.

Barca interest unrealistic

"While Barcelona's interest may be unrealistic, it has certainly been real and the club even had Endrick over to visit their facilities and stadium," report Marca. "The idea was to leave him open to a possible offer, but it appears that no such deal is likely to materialise."

READ: Barca and Real locked in battle to sign Spanish wonderkid

Barca have problem positions at right-back and defensive midfield with Hector Bellerin injured and Sergio Busquets out of contract and likely to leave at the end of the season, and extra outlay on a forward is not something they can stretch to.

The weather in London and the relative lack of competition may push Endrick towards Spain anyway, but Barca dropping out of the race with Real will be a significant boon for the Spanish and European champions.

Barca will have to wait until Endrick turns 18 in the summer of 2024 before they can even consider making a move, and Real will have hoped to have tied Endrick down to a pre-contract agreement by then, as they previously did with Brazilian youngsters Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.